How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church. Arguing from Scripture and history, Dr. Boyd makes a compelling case that whenever the church gets too close to any political or national ideology, it is disastrous for the church and harmful to society. Dr. Boyd contends that the American Evangelical Church has allowed itself to be co-opted by the political right (and some by the political left) and exposes how this is harming the church's unique calling to build the kingdom of God. In the course of his argument, Dr. Boyd challenges some of the most deeply held convictions of evangelical Christians in America - for example, that America is, or ever was, "a Christian nation" or that Christians ought to be trying to "take America back for God."

When the kingdom of God is manifested, it will wear the face of Jesus Christ. And that, says author Gregory Boyd, has never been true of any earthly government or power; Jesus taught us to seek a kingdom, where greatness is measured by sacrifice and service.

One of Boyd's recent books Repenting of Religion has made a deep impact on many of us in YWAM. This new book is written in the same loving tone and in-depth thinking. One of the foremost things I appreciate about Boyd, is the fact that JesusÃ¢ teaching remains front and centre to all he writes.

This book is written in the context of mounting patriotic fervour following the invasion of Iraq. As a pastor of a large Church Boyd came under pressure to marry American patriotism and biblical faith. In response he wrote a superb book in which he charts some of the consequences when Christians throughout history have aligned themselves unconditionally with a nation or people. He also examines the biblical teaching on governmental authority and how Christians relate to it.

Boyd's message is not popular in every quarter; his own congregation declined by about 20 percent as a direct result. I personally believe that he is bravely addressing a very important issue, one that we as people called to missions must think about clearly.

01/01/2009

Tom H

Having read Dr. Gregory Boyd's two books, 'Repenting of Religion' and now his latest one, 'Myth of a Christian Nation,' I am convinced that they are expressions of God's heart and desire for us as a Mission (i.e., Youth With A Mission).Â Â Â Â Greg's newest book can be read over-critically as a promotion of passivism if something of his heart is not already caught by the reader in his previous Repenting of Religion. I believe that God is wanting us to grapple with His overwhelming generosity; it is summed up in the statement from 2. Cor 5, that the Father was in Christ embracing the whole world while not holding our sins against us.Â Â Â Â To live this message in the face of threat to our own life, etc., will require a very strong embrace of the cross. It is my concern that God has carried us through our unique journey as a tribe to be prepared for this challenge.Â Â Â Â May we be able to be as Paul, who said about his going back to Ephesus after they had beaten him nearly to death, "the love of Christ constrains me."

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